Photo courtesy of Joe Pregadio on Unsplash.
On Oct. 27, Robert D. Bowers — a white 46 year old Pennsylvanian — burst into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh shouting anti-Semitic slurs and began shooting. This deadly act of terror, which claimed 11 lives and injured 6 others, occured on Shabbat–the Jewish day of rest and observance. The synagogue is located in the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, a Jewish enclave in Pittsburgh that also happens to be one of the city’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Squirrel Hill has a storied history and is home to several synagogues and old fashioned markets.
Bowers, who was armed with an AR-15 and 3 handguns, frequented the website Gab which bills itself as “The Free Speech Social Network.” But, in reality, it has become a popular platform for white nationalists and alt-right activists since Facebook and Twitter recently refashioned their user guidelines. He was a frequent poster who spread racist memes, called Jews the “enemy of white people” and labeled immigrants as “invaders.”
Two days after this tragedy, Connecticut College students of different races, religions and creeds congregated in the Hillel House for mourning. In a stark contrast to the hateful rhetoric that Robert Bowers was spewing online, the memorial event in Hillel began with the Jewish prayer Hine Ma Tov, which translates to “How good it is for all of us to dwell together in peace.” The event–organized by Rabbi Susan Schein, Interim Director of Religious and Spiritual Programs Angela Nzegwu, and Dean of the College Jefferson Singer–attracted a diverse group of some 80 students, faculty, and members of the local community. Rabbi Susan pithily noted that while the the event was generated because of a specific attack that targeted Jews, “it was intended for the wider campus community… [as] a safe space for everyone to have the experience together as a community, and to allow people to feel solidarity with one another.” She also noted that in her five years at Conn, this was among the largest gathering of this kind that she has seen for an event not organized by students.
In a gathering rife with fear, heavy hearts, and agony for the future, solidarity was the ethos that reigned supreme in Hillel House. The event was organized by faculty and staff. Although College officials like Ms. Nzegwu and Dean Singer read poems and spoke at the beginning of the event, there was time alloted for just students to express their thoughts and feelings. Jamila Ezbidi, President of the Student Government Association (SGA) was one of three students who spoke. She expressed her solidarity, as both SGA president and a Muslim student on campus, with those directly affected and those in mourning. The vigil ended with the Jewish prayer for peace, Oseh Shalom, as many Jewish services do. But on this day, Hillel Board member Leelah Klauber ‘22 felt the mournful echoes of Oseh Shalom in a different manner. “Prayers for peace like Oseh Shalom,” Klauber said in an interview with the Hillel Board, “are a really nice way to reflect and appreciate that the Jewish people can stay so open after an event like this that specifically targeted our religion.”
This act of terror struck has struck fear into Jewish communities across the country, including Conn’s. Emily Douglass ‘20, who is one of the co-presidents of the Hillel board, summarized her reaction as “shock.” Becca Smith ‘19, the other co-president, noted that Jewish students at Conn “come from a variety of backgrounds and previous experiences facing anti-Semitism, but this [shooting] sends a strong and clear message that anti-Semitism is still alive and well… and that is still rattling for students in a variety of ways.”
Historically, anti-Semitism follows patterns, and scholars say there is clear evidence that anti-Semitism is on the rise around the world. If Conn students are truly going to stand in solidarity with one another, then we must recognize these truths. The turnout for the memorial service at Hillel was great, but it isn’t a one shot. Even on a tolerant campus like ours, people must continue to be aware of anti-Semitism and fight it with the same vigor that we use to fight other hate. Hate crimes of all natures are on the rise in the US and abroad. We are living in dangerous times and we can not let minute differences distract us from what is just. •
